Aude Silve

aude.silve@kit.edu

Biological cells which constitute all living organisms are all delimited and protected by a membrane. In the presence of an external electric field, a voltage is induced across the membrane which causes electric fields of several GV/m. These huge electric fields will in turn disturb the membrane and modify its protective properties. This technique, known as electroporation, is now used in various industrial applications but also in cancer treatment. 
The aim of course is to quantify the voltage induced across the membrane of a cell when it is subjected to an electric field. The measurement of this voltage is performed by means of pulsed laser fluorescence microscopy.
We seek above all motivated trainee interested in multidisciplinary approaches since the project requires working with biological cells but also with pulse generators, fluorescence microscopes and pulsed lasers. The internship includes various aspects: design of experiments, data collection, data analysis (using software such as Matlab and Origin) and theoretical interpretations based on classical electromagnetic theory. 
Knowledge of Matlab and / or Origin is a plus but is not necessarily required and the trainee will benefit from the support needed to learn to master the software.